Could snuggling up with your pet at night be good for you?
A new study from the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona found that while pets can disrupt sleep sometimes, they also can help us get a better night’s rest.
“If having a pet nearby helps them feel relaxed and gives them a sense of security, which permits them to fall asleep with less difficulty, then I think that is something that does deserve attention,” Dr. Lois Krahn told CBS News.
During this recent study, researchers surveyed 150 people about their pets and sleep habits. About 20 percent reported that their pets were disruptive while 40 percent said that their pets didn’t disturb them or actually helped them get a better night’s rest.
However, it’s important to note that the study did not specifically look at factors including the pet’s sleeping habits, breed, cleanliness or size, according to Palm Beach Post.
Previous research has shown how common it is to sleep with a pet in the United States. A survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association found that close to half of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds and 62 percent of small dogs, 41 percent of medium-sized dogs and 32 percent of large dogs sleep with their owners. The survey also found that 62 percent of cats sleep with their adult owners, and another 13 percent of cats sleep with children, according to WebMD.
Courtesy of CBS News
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